CHLORIDE, Ariz. – For a town of just a couple hundred residents, Chloride knows how to throw a party.
The historic mining community celebrated the 50th anniversary of its annual Old Miners’ Day festival and parade, drawing visitors from across Mohave County and beyond. By parade time, Second Street was lined with spectators as participants from communities including Lake Havasu City and Flagstaff made their way through town.
Before the parade rolled out, visitors explored vendor booths, local shops and attractions that transformed the quiet community into a bustling hub of activity.
Serving as parade master of ceremonies was longtime Chloride resident Natalee Norwood, who reflected on the significance of the event.
“This is the 50th anniversary of Chloride’s Old Miners’ Day, 50 years,” Norwood said. “Old Miners’ Day is usually a great fun time for us. We’re just a little bit low as the population is down, but it is always a gas. We open up the parking lot and have vendors come in. The place gets packed. We can have a thousand visitors. Just 200 people live here, but everybody loves it.”
The roots of Chloride stretch back to the 1860s when prospectors discovered silver chloride ore in the surrounding mountains. The mineral gave the town its name and fueled a mining boom that helped establish Chloride as one of the oldest continuously inhabited mining communities in Arizona.
Norwood, wearing a sidearm in true Old West fashion, joked about her connection to the town’s famous gunfighters.
“Well, I got fired from the gunfighters because I didn’t role-play well,” she said with a laugh. “But the gunfighters here are really good. They have great, great stories, and they shoot a lot of bullets. We like it.”
As entertaining as the gunfighters may be, the parade remained the centerpiece of the day. Spectators were treated to a colorful procession celebrating Chloride’s mining heritage and small-town spirit.
Perhaps the most unique honor of the day belonged to the parade’s grand marshal, Levi, a local dog.
Asked how Levi earned the prestigious title, townspeople simply shrugged and smiled.
“It just seemed like a good idea at the time.”
That lighthearted attitude may best explain why Old Miners’ Day has remained a beloved tradition for half a century. Despite its small population, Chloride continues to attract visitors each year with its blend of history, humor and hometown hospitality.
As the final entries passed down Second Street, another Old Miners’ Day celebration came to a close, leaving residents and visitors alike looking forward to year number 51.
Watch video here:
